Isbel Ingham
NH 225 - Office hours by appointment only, or by chance.
503.725.9195
ingham@pdx.edu

Readings: MLA or APA Handbook, and a writing book of your choice.

Description: Graduate work requires a significant amount of what is commonly described as academic writing. This class is designed to instruct students about just what that means, and how to adapt their own writing to the requirements of PSU in general, and the expectations of the academic world in general. To that end, we will use the papers you write in your other classes, in this class. There is no extra writing required for the class, however you MUST bring at least two copies of one page of writing to each class to receive full credit.

Goals:
To improve students' ability to write persuasive, clear, and reasoned prose.
To enlarge students' repertoire of pre-writing and writing strategies.
To increase students' ability to revise, edit, and proofread for errors in grammar, punctuation, and syntax.
To enhance students' ability to communicate effectively with their writing.
To increase students' awareness of audience and rhetorical strategies for reaching that audience.
To instruct students in the use of MLA and APA modes of intext citing, and referencing.

During Fall Term, the emphasis is on teaching general writing requirements, but we can discuss anything regarding writing academically that you have questions about.
During Winter Term the focus moves towards the requirements for research papers.
During Spring Term, the discussion involves the crafting of literature reviews.
However, please note: This class revolves around the needs of the students. We will focus, each class, on the needs of the students--this is entirely a student-driven class (although the instructor cops to having a couple of agendas).

Timeliness and attendance:
Because there is no outside work assigned for this class, students must attend every class in order to receive a good grade. If you come to none or more classes, and participate (which includes bringing writing to each class), you will receive an A. If you miss more than two classes, but still do the above, you will receive a B, etc.

Evaluation: Grades are based entirely on your participation in class.

Writing requirements: Please click on this link for general academic writing requirements.